Tsukiji Market

We left for Tsukiji Market this morning at 4:15 to experience what is the largest fish market in the world. I didn't know what to expect and now I'm having a hard time describing it.

First, it's HUGE. It's in many buildings, one for fruits and vegetables, one for fish, one for shrimp, one for the tuna- the most well-known auction. It's so busy and chaotic but everyone knows what they're doing and where they are going but the tourists, who quite frankly, are in the way. There is no choice but to be on high-alert all the time or you will get run over. To give you a glimpse of the busyness...



We walked all around the market for two hours. It's loud, it's chaotic and full of colors and smells- and everyone, but the tourists, knows what they're doing. They auction off many things throughout the morning but the most popular auction (look up this word if you don't know it!) is the tuna auction. According to the Japan Times, a 202 kg bluefin tuna fetched over $20 million dollars. Yes, for one very large tuna.



There are over 400 different kinds of fish sold and auctioned at the market. I got a closer look at the shrimp auction. I didn't realize until after I left that it was a no admittance area but no one seemed to mind that I was there taking photos. Notice the men with the clipboards. They give signals to the auctioneer with their hands and fingers. When they hold up their clipboard, it's when they are bidding and don't want other to know what they are willing to pay. They better know what they're doing or it could cost them a lot of money!



Go to the Picasa website for more photos.